Mercury Force 120 2000 - Correct Cold Start?

[Onegazza]

Hi All,

I was wondering if someone can help illude me to the correct starting procedure for a 2000 Mercury Force 120?

What I'm trying to do:

1. Lower engine
2. Squeeze bulb
3. Throttle forward and to neutral a few times
4. Turn ignition on
5. Push in button and advance throttle lever to high idle position
6. Push in choke a few times and crank the engine
7. Return throttle to neutral (with normal idle)

However, the system won't allow me to crank the engine if the throttle lever isn't in dead neutral (with no high idle). This means I have to skip step 5 and it can take 2 or 3 starts to get the engine idling long enough to then advance to high idle once it's started.

What is the correct cold start procedure for this engine?

 

[racerone]

Stop doing step # 3.----------------Hold choke in WHILE cranking it over.

 

[Onegazza]

Is there any way/need to be able to do step 5? Or, do I need to wait until the engine is idling?

 

[GA_Boater]

Your control has either an idle lever or a neutral only button to disengage the throttle and shift.

What remote control?

 

[roscoe]

Welcome to iboats.

Your motor is a 1999 model or older, there was no 2000 production.


Mercury Force serial number ranges 1991 - 1999

OE000001 - OE065371 1991-1993

OE065372 - OE093699 1994

OE093700 - OE138599 1995

OE138600 - OE202999 1996

OE203000 - OE287999 1997

OE288000 - OE344999 1998

OE345000 - OE369299 1999


As far as being hard starting, needing extra gas to start, this is normal.

Follow this starting procedure.


There is no conventional choke on that motor.
There is a fuel enrichment valve, that releases fuel directly into the intake manifold.

Open fuel tank vent

Check the kill switch, place in "run" position

Squeeze fuel primer bulb till firm.

Advance the throttle 3/4 way or more, without putting it in gear. -- This is done by either pushing a button in the center of the controls, or pulling the shift handle toward the driver, or raising the fast idle lever, all depending on what control unit you have.

Turn the key to the on/run position.

Activate the choke (fuel enrichment valve) by pushing in on the key. The valve is only open while the key is being pushed in.

Turn the key to start while continuing to hold the key in.

Release the key and choke when it starts.

3-5 seconds of "choke", is usually enough.

Be ready to pull the throttle back toward the idle/neutral position, when the engine starts and the revs increase.

Continue to pull the throttle back as the engine warms up.

You should not have to use the choke much, if at all, once the engine has warmed up.

Engine should start within 10 seconds of turning the key.

 

[jerryjerry05]

The old style choke( before 89 an older) this style only worked when the key was
pushed in as you turn the motor over.
I think this is how the enricher operates?
The enricher works each time you push in the key
Holding the key in really doesn't do anything but give it one shot of fuel.

The old Force shifter before 95 they all had the fast or high idle setting.
If yours doesn't work? then maybe someone's "adjusted" the linkage and now it doesn't work?
95 and newer uses the Mercury shifter it should also have the fast idle.

 

[Onegazza]

Thanks.

The control is a Quicksilver 3000.

The engine is 1999 but, stamped 2000.

I'll try again at the weekend, advancing the throttle in fast idle before turning the key to 'on' however, I think I've already tried this and the engine won't crank whatsoever unless the lever is in pure neutral (it will then allow me to crank).

Is there something on the control or engine which is set to prevent me from doing this? Once the engine is started, I can push the button in and operate fast idle as normal.

 

[racerone]

Perhaps the neutral start switch in the control box needs adjusting..-------Best look at it on shore not 10 miles from the ramp.

 

[jerryjerry05]

PICS? of the shifter and the shift linkage ON the motor will help??
Like Racerone said the N switch is in the shifter.
The older before 95 had the switch on the throttle linkage.
You never know what "improvements" have been done and pics always help.

 

[Onegazza]

Thanks all for the assistance.

The method above worked a treat - the key was 75-100% throttle. Setting it in neutral high idle. It then allowed me to start.

Question resolved.